Wells and Co. Announces Expansion of its French Estate
Independent brewery and retailing business Wells & Co. has added two more pubs to its French estate, welcoming the House of Parliament and HMS Victory in Bordeaux to its family-owned pub group.
Wells & Co. is known in France for bringing its lively English pubs overseas for the locals and tourists to enjoy. From the craft beer, to the unforgettable atmosphere, to the spirit behind the bar, these pubs have become a hotspot for the communities of people who love them.
This new exciting venture brings the total of Wells & Co.’s pubs in France to 18, which already includes local favourites like The Sherlock Holmes, The Starfish, and The Market Tavern.
Both newly-acquired pubs have been trading for more than two decades in their own right, having built strong reputations. Each has developed its own loyal customer bases and a team of people who are experienced in delivering a top quality service.
Wells and Co. will ensure that these well-loved community pubs will be able to maximise their potential by leaning into the group’s English roots, injecting the same values and traditions that have worked so well previously in Bordeaux. From the English food to the classically crafted beers, the customers of the House of Parliament and HMS Victory will get to enjoy everything that a Wells & Co. pub is known for.
Wells and Co. has been bringing communities together in France since 1995, having built up a presence across 7 French cities. The success of these operations in France will give the pub group more opportunity to expand and unite pints, pubs and people across the nation.
Shirley Couchman, Chief Operating Officer at Wells and Co., outlined her vision for the future of Wells and Co. in France and the UK:
‘The acquisition of these pubs marks our first purchase in France since 2019. These sites represent our intent to continue developing and growing our French estate in the coming years, while we simultaneously look at opportunities in our heartland in the UK, where we have 190 pubs. We look forward to seeing the success of the two pubs over the coming months.’
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Wells and Co. Note to the Editor
Wells and Co. is an independent, family-owned business with an estate of 190 pubs in the UK and 18 in France.
Founded in 1876, the group’s operations have expanded outward from Bedford to encompass much of the heartland of England; as well as this, their operations have expanded across the English Channel to manage pubs in France.
In June 2017, Wells and Co. sold its brewery on Havelock Street, as well as most of its brands, to Marston’s PLC, the UK’s leading independent brewing and pub retailing business; Marston’s PLC is a company which places maximum importance on realising the potential of independents.
In 2020, Wells and Co. built a new craft brewery and tap room in Bedford called Brewpoint, to enshrine the spirit of the business within its birthplace.
Please find a link to hi-res imagery here: https://we.tl/t-fFG5QZVVX7
Contact: Izzy Marsh, izzy.marsh@stormcom.co.uk
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